# Industrial Ecologists

> Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-ecologists
- SOC code: 19-2041.03
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $82,220 (10th percentile $52,520, 90th percentile $140,010)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.1%
- Openings a year: 7,300
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Environmental scientists and specialists, including health".

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 60 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 19 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 34 |
| Conventional (C) | 50 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 93/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 91/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 89/100)
- Processing Information (importance 85/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 84/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 77/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 72/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 71/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 69/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Active Learning, Science

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Chemistry, Computers and Electronics, Physics, English Language, Production and Processing, Design, Biology, Geography

## Also called

Aquatic Ecologist, Eco-Industrial Development Consultant, Ecological Professional, Ecologist, Environmental Business Development Associate, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Activist, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Environmental Protection Specialist, Forest Ecologist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Natural Resources Conservation and Research](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0301) (CIP 0301, 1,081 colleges)
- [Public Health](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5122) (CIP 5122, 836 colleges)
- [Sustainability Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3033) (CIP 3033, 279 colleges)
- [Pharmacology and Toxicology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2610) (CIP 2610, 109 colleges)
- [Geography and Environmental Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3044) (CIP 3044, 67 colleges)
- Marine Sciences (CIP 3032, 40 colleges)
- Environmental Geosciences (CIP 3041, 17 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-barbara-ucsb-2888) | Pharmacology and Toxicology | $42,364 | $98,462 | $11,000 |
| [Utah State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-state-university-3102) | Public Health | $77,239 | $93,161 | not reported |
| [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegesref.com/college/college-of-the-holy-cross-626) | Chemistry | $51,144 | $93,122 | $18,250 |
| [The College of New Jersey](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-college-of-new-jersey-2736) | Chemistry | not reported | $90,396 | $27,000 |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Public Health | not reported | $89,522 | $17,279 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Chemistry | $84,338 | $88,364 | not reported |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Public Health | $55,305 | $87,217 | $19,500 |
| [Montana Technological University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/montana-technological-university-1758) | Public Health | not reported | $86,855 | $25,200 |

## Related careers

- [Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-scientists-and-specialists-including-health): $82,220 median pay
- [Conservation Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/conservation-scientists): $73,010 median pay
- [Environmental Restoration Planners](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-restoration-planners): $82,220 median pay
- [Water Resource Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-resource-specialists): $167,220 median pay
- [Soil and Plant Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/soil-and-plant-scientists): $78,850 median pay
- [Environmental Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineers): $107,110 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.